Pressure-controlled fire-extinguisher system.



R. L. COONEY.

PRESSURE GONTROLLED FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM. APPLICIATION FILED JAN.28, 1910. RENEWBD AUG. 23, 19134.

3,075,283. Patented o0c.7,1913.

News Pains. mc Lwno wAsnmmuu. u c:v

sonner r.. soenna?, or .erna-Nrs, esonera.

BRESSUREfCGNTLLE F'lRE-EXTXNGUISHER SYSTEM.

1.4)?2. spontanen of Lettersraient Patented Oct. 7,155,113.

Application filed January 28, 1910, erial $10,549,651. Renewed 4August 23, 1913. Serial No. 789,324?.

To all. when, .15 may concern.' .this connection .being used to .signify a .tank Be .kllOWll that .ROBERT ,L- CQQNEY, a in which the operation ofthe means' for sup- Citigen .pf the United States, residln et plyingW the ire `extinguishing agent takes Atlantain the county of Fulton and tate place? A shell 2 lis operatively relatedv to 60 5 of Georgia, have'invented new and useful the primary shell, being preferably set into Improvements in Pressure-Controlled Firean end headthereof. The shell 2 is essen- Extinguisher Systems, of which the followtially' an elastic fluid container and for thisv ing is a .speoioatioxn reason is arbitrarily termed the second- 'Ths invention relates to. new and useful ary shell, the Word secondary in this 65 improvements in pressure vecrit-rolled fire connectionl being used to signify a shell,

extinguisher systems. which, without regard to any other characlhe type of pressure controlled system teristics that it may have in a particular' .to Whiclr'the present improvement relates embodiment, is essentially an elastic iluid isone wherein two bodies of. elastic fluid container. 70

are normally maintained at equal or bal- The system supply pipe, hereinaiter anced degrees .of pressure in such a relaf termed the distributing ipe, is .desigy tion that one body, the dominant body, natfed by the numeral 3 and 1s connected to is subject t0. reduction or retract-ion consethe shell 2. quent to the opening of a sprinkler head, Any means or arrangement of means for 75 2O distributing valve or equivalent device and put-ting elastic fluid under pressure in the the other body, the scrvient body (which tanks, and in the distributing pipe may be is normally held in restraint by the domiemployed. A carboy, as il, A1s shown as anAv nant body) becomes active, (i. c. exexample of such a means. This carboy is ponds) as a consequence of the reduction or charged with compressed air, or a gas fatal 30 retraction-of the dominant body to cause to combustion, and may be conveniently by expansion or projection, the operation o connected to .the distributing pipe 3v by a a fire extinguisher agent supply means. 4connection 5. This arrangement admits of l The invention embodies an improved aplnterposing in the connection 5 certain-adparatus for maintaining the proper relajunctive devices tending to promote the 85 tion of the pressures and for carrying out etliclency of the system, e. g., a pressure rethe steps of operation stated in the foregoducer, as 6, which maintains the pressure at ing paragraph, 'some determined absolute degree, a pressure l The purpose of the present arrangement indicator, as 7, and a safety valve, as 8, for

is to provide for a positive, infallible and relieving excess pressure due to over-gener- 9o practically instantaneous operation with an ation 1n the case of a chemical mixing sysapparatus which requires but a low degree tem. l f of charging pressure and which 1s ex- The shell 2 rests upon a ledge, as 9,'wh1ch tnemely simple in construction. 1s formed at one end of the shell 1 in the Embofdirnents of the invention are disupper portion thereof, and said shell 1sf95. 40 Closed in the accompanying drawings, -providednwih'a reduced barrel, as 11, whichv whghpejllprojects into the shell 1 and which has an Figure 1 is a sectional view Aof an appaextension, as lQ,l which projects inte the maus' in aaeordanee with the` present invenshell 2 and 1s 'concentric therewith. l`l1e tion. Fig. 2 is asimilar view of an alternabarrel 11 1s provided W1th a pipe section, 10o tim-form of apparatus.. Fig. 3 is a secas 12, which extends to a'polnt near the bot- .tenal view of an" alternative structural de- OIII 0f the She-11 l and .Whlch Serves es the tail. Outlet ppeifor the re extinguishing $011.1-

characters 0f reference reer t0 tion., the lat-ter passing first through the ,seccorresponding parts in the two views. tion 12, then through the lshell 2 and then 105 A The apparatus shown of the chemical lin to the supply 4pip Y AE by which 1t 1s .diss mixing type and the chemical mixing means tributed by the system. 'is 4contained in a -tanker shell, as 1 Bn- The chemlca'l 111.1 X111g @@1911 .may be p19.- ,oauseof .this characteristic of .containing the dueed byoverturnmg an and bottle, as 13, leweigushilg agent supply means, the Wherebyits contents will rmx with 'a 'body i110 l.tenir orhellis arbtrariy termed of alkaline. solution which partially 6111sf' the. word primary in the tank lsfheizacid bottle 13 pivotally.r

. ing its contents.

f Fig. 2, depart,"

supportedctl' and below center, brackets, as 14, being provided for this urpose. The .preferred means for causing tiie overturning movement of the acid "bot-tle consists of a plunger, as 15, which` is slidable axially of the shell 2, and which is so related to the acid bottle that the overturning of the latter is consequent to an operative axial movement of the plunger. The operative connections between the plunger and the acid bottle include a rod, as 16, which projects axially of the barrel 10 through an opening17 in the end thereof, and a chain, as 18, which connects the rod 1G and a cap. as 19, that forms the closure of the acid bottle, being tted looselyover the upper end thereof.

The plunger 15 is provided with an 'aperture, as 2C), which provides for the flow of the lpressure vehicle from the shell 2 to the shel 1, when the system is charged, but

which does not allow the pressure in the v"shell 1 to flow into the shell 2 to any material extent when the pressure in the latter is suddenly and materially reduced consequent to the opening of a sprinkler head or equivalent device. The aperture 20 does, however, provide for the equalization of the pressure vinthe shells 1 and 2 in the event of leakage, and consequently, the pressures are always balanced, irrespective of their absolute degree.

In operation, when a sprinkler head .or equivalent device is opened, the pressure in the shell 2 falls, and, as a consequence of this sudden and material reduction of the controlling or dominant pressure, the

.servient operating pressure in `the primary shell becomes active and, by its expansion, forces the plunger 15 outwardly, past the pipe 3. The plunger 15 in its outward movement pulls the acid bottlel pastitscenter of gravity, and the latter completes its overturning movement by gravity, pulling away from the cap 19 and discharg- The pressure thus developed forces a chemical stream through the pipe 12, shell'2 and distributing pipe. The rod 16 is provided with a packed head or 'equivalent device, as'21, which seals the opening 17, at the completion of the outward movement of the plunger.

,The alternative -embodiment shown in om the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in the construction and arrangement of the secondary shell and the appurtenant plunger mechanism therein. In the alternative embodiment, the secondary shell'is indicated at 2a and projects wholly within the shell 1. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the acid receptacle is overturned by a pulling action. In the present embodiment, the acid bottle is overturned by a pushing action and is'so pivoted 1n the manner explained that it normally rests through this opening into the space between the plunger and the column of liquid in the plpe 12. lIIhe charging pressure also flows through the opening 17a and into the shell.

The stem 1Gn is arranged to engage Atheupper portion of the acid bot-tleand to positively impart thereto the necessary initial unbalancing movement which causes the overturning of the bottle. The operative movement of the plunger is produced by the expansion of the fluid in the rear of the plunger consequent to the fall of the dominant pressure when a sprinkler head or its equivalent is opened. The plunger 15a, in this instance, serves the function ofV the head 21 employed in the embodiment of Fig. 1, said plunger closing the opening 17a and preventing the passage of gas from the shell 1 or of solution from the shell 2a.

In the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 3, the machine is generally similar to the machine shown in Fig. l. lOne modification resides in eliminating the hole in the piston and in its place, employing a by-pass pipe, as 22, which, as shown, connects the tank 1 and the distributing pipe 2 and is fitted with a diaphragm 23, having a pin-hole aperture 24. This arrangement provides for increasing the water level to a plane above the rod 16, and for consequently increasing the capacity without increasing the size of the tank. This relative height of the water line is also of 'advantage in case the chemicals used be of such nature that corrosion takes place above the water line in which casethe movable parts are submerged. The operation involves the basic principles described, the expansion of the air or gas inthe secondary tank forcing a column of liquid against the piston and thereby producing an operative movement of the latter. In this arrangement the piston is of ordinary disk form; the opening 17 is of tapered form and the head 21 is conical in order to seat conformably in the opening when the piston has reached the limit of its outward movement.-

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

1. In a chemical mixing lire extinguisher system, in combination, a system of piping, primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being in direct communication with the piping system, meansk for putting equal pressure in the piping system and in both 0f the Shells, chemical mixing means in the `secondary shells, the secondary shell being v1n direct communication With the-piping system, means for putting equal pressure in the piping system and in the shellsand means normally restrained against operation by the normal pressure in the secondary shell and operable by the tluid in the primary shell upon a reduction of pressure in the secondary shell for increasing the presy biiiatioii,

-sure in the primary shell.

v3. In a tire extinguisher system, in coma system of piping, primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being in direct communication with the piping system, means for putting equal pressure in the piping system and in the shells, the primary' shell communicating with the system through the secondary shell and means normally restrained against operation by the normal pressure in the secondary shell and operableA bythe fluid in the vprimary shell uponl a reduction of pressurein the secondary shellfor establishing communica.- tion between the primary shell and the system and for increasing the pressure in the primary shell.

4. In a chemical mixing fire extinguisher system, in combination, a system of piping, primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being in direct communication with the pipingfsystem, means for putting equal pressure in the piping system and in the shells, the primary shell communicating with the system through the secondary shell. an invertible acidl bottle iii the primary shell and-a-member movably mounted in the secondary shell and normally held by the fluid therein in position to shut otl' communication between the primary shell and the piping system and operable by the tluid in the primary shell, When the pressure in the secondary shell'is reduced, to Ycause the overturn-ing of the acid bottle and to establish communication betWeen'the primary shell andthe secondary shell.

5. In a chemical mixing re extinguisher system, in combinatiom'a systeml of piping, primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being direct communication with.

tliepiping system, means for putting equal pressurev in the Apiping -system and in the shells, a pipe connection aiorduig direct communcationbetween the secondary shell andthe primaryshell, an invertible acid bottle in t e primary shell, thesecondary vshell having a barrel communicating with the.

pipe connection and having also an opening at one end thereof, and a plunger in the secondary shell and provided with a stem eX- tending through said opening, said plunger being normally held in the secondary-shell against the end of the barrel and being operable by the pressure of the fluid in the primary shell ivlien the pressure in the secondary shell is reduced, to establish communication between said shells and to cause the/ overturning of the acid bottle.

6. In a chemical mixing lire extinguisher system, in combination, a system of piping, primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being in direct communication with the piping system, means tor putting equal pressure in the piping system and in the shells, a pipe connection, affording direct communication between the secondary shell and the primary shell, an invertible acid bottle in the primary shell, the secondary shell having a barrel communicating with the pipe connection and having also an opening at one end thereof, a plunger in the secondary shell and. provided with a stein extending through said opening, a loose fitting stopper closing said acid bottle and a chain connecting said stopper and said stem, 'said plunger being normally held against theend ot the barrel and being operable by the pressure ot' the Huid in the primary shell when the pressure in the ysecondary shell is'reduced to establish communication between said shells and to overturn the acid bot-tle.

7. ln a lire extinguishersystem, in conibination, a system of pipi-ng,'primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being in direct communicationwith the piping system, the system and the shells having f pressure therein, means for maintaining such pressure normally equal to compensate for slight pressure variations and means normally restrained against operation by the normal pressure in the secondary shell and operable by the fluid iii the primary shell upon a sudden and material reduction of pressure in the secondary shell for putting additional pressure in the system.

S. In a i'ire extinguisher system, in conibination, a system of piping, primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being in direct communication With the piping system, the system and the shells `having pressure therein, means for maintaining' such pressure normally equal to compensate for slight pressure variations, an acid bottle in the primary shell, and means normally restrained yagainst operation by the normal pressure in` the secondary shellaiid operable bythe luid in the primary shell upon a vsudden and materialv reductioirof pressure in the secondary shell tor causing the discharge bott-le in the primary shell.

9. En a tire-extinguisher system,-

of the contents of the acid tinguisher agent supply means, a shell containing thel supply means, a second shell communicating with the first shell, a piping system communicating with the second shell and provided with a distributing valve, means for putting fluid under pressure in the pipinf system and in both of the shells, means av ording additional communication between the first shell and t-lie piping system in order that slight variations of pressure in the latter may be equalized in the former without producing an operation of the system and means normally restrained from operation by the fluid in the second shell and operable by the fluid normally maintained inthe first shell for producing t'he operation of the fire extinguisher agent supply means upon a material reduction of the pressure of the fluid in the piping system and the second shell, incidcpt to` the opening of the distributing va ve.

10. In a fire extinguisher system, fire extinguisher agent supply means, a shell containing the supply means, a second shell communicating with the irst shell, a piping system communicating with the second shell, vmeans for putting fluid under equal pressure in the piping system and in both ot' the shells. and a slidably movable piston normally held in a iosition to interrupt the communication of' tlie shells, thepiston beingmoved by the pressure in the lirst1 shell upon a reduction of the pressure in the second shell to establish communication between tlie shells and being so related to the supply means as, upon its movement, t0 cause the operation of the supply means, the system having also means for equalizing the pressure in the first shell-with that in the piping and in the second shell.

' 1l. In a fire extinguisher system, lire extinguisher agent supply means, a shell coni taining the supply means, a second shell communicating with the first shell, a piping system communicating with the second shell, means for putting Huid under equal pressure in the piping's'vstein and in both of the shells and a inolable mechanical element normally held in restraint by the fluid in the second shell and caused to operate by the luidin the first shell to produce the operation of the supply means `when the pressure in the second shell is suddenly and materially re duced.

12. In a tire extinguisher system, in combination, a system of piping, primary and secondary shells, the secondary shell being in direct communication With the piping system, means for putting equal pressure in the piping system and inthe shells, fire extinguisher agent supply means in the primary shell, and means normally restrained against operation by the normal pressure in the secondary shell and operable.

by the fluid in the primary shell -upon a reduction of pressure in the secondary shell for causing the operation of the fire extinguishei' agent supply means. l

13. In a chemical mixing fire extinguisher system, in combination, a primary and a secondary shell, a distributing pipe cominunicating directly with the secondary shell, the latter communicating with the primary shell, a piston slidable axially of the secondary shell, an acid bottle in the primary shell, means whereby the piston in its operat-ive movement causes the acid bottle to discharge its contents into the primary shell, a ley-pass pipe connecting the primary shell and the distributing pipe, an apertured diaphragm in the by-pass pipe, and means for charging the distributing pipe, secondary shell, and primary shell with the elastic fluid under pressure.

14. In a dry pipe chemical mixing fire extinguisher system, a solution containing shell, a distributing pipe, a secondary shell, an acid bottle arranged to be discharged into the solution containing shell and an element movable axially of the secondary shell and in its movement providing for the discharge of the acid bottle, the distributing pipe being in open communication with the secondary shell onone side of the movable element in the normal position of the latter and in restricted communication with the secondary shell on the opposite side of said element.

15. In a dry pipe chemical mixing lire extinguisher system, a solution containing shell adapted to be partially filled with so- -pipe and in the solution containing shell,

the solution containing shell and the distributing pipe having restricted communication with one another whereby the pressures at opposite sides of the piston are normally equal, the communication being of such degree that a rapid reduction of pressure at one side of the piston will result in the unbalancing of the pressure at the other side of the piston and in a consequent operative movement of the latter from its normal position.

16. In a chemical mixing fire extinguisher system, a solution containing shell and a dis tributing pipe leading .which governs vthe distributing pipe,

Avparessure in at all times the .pipe 1s tributing pipe to maintainthe said shell and said Lpipe equal except when the pressure in suddenly vented. y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnsses. ROBERT L. COONEY.

Witnesses:

H. B. SIMMONS, Jr.,

S. W. BROWN. 

